Cracks In Kufuor's Government?

Divisions are reported to have emerged within the NPP government over certain actions taken by the President. The situation is said to have arisen over the fact that President Kufuor respects the view of some ministers and other functionaries regarded as ‘outsiders’ than that of the NPP members.

The Independent newspaper says after three months of painstaking investigations, it can confirm that what started as a mere rumour on how the President listens to Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom; the Chief Executive of the Ashanti Goldfields, Dr Sam Jonah and an Insurance and Mining Consultant, Nick Amarteifio has gained grounds.

All these three people are considered as outsiders since Dr Nduom was appointed from the Convention People’s Party as part of government’s all inclusive policy. The President is reported to be worried over the divisions and the three men are also ‘distancing’ themselves from the President to avoid any further problems.

The paper says Nick Amarteifio, for example, refused to honour an invitation to attend a party organized by Sam Jonah on New Year’s Eve, which was attended by the President, lest his presence adds to the already volatile situation. Some members of the government have described the situation as without basis saying that the President has put in place a very strict code of conduct, which has put most of the Ministers on edge.